Friday, March 21, 2014

Omega Speedmaster Automatic Reduced

Omega Speedmaster Reduced 3510.50.00

Nope! This is not the moon watch. A lot of watch enthusiasts might get it confused with the legendary Omega Speedmaster Professional. This is the Speedmaster Professional's little brother. It has the identical black dial with tri-compax layout of Speedmaster Professional. The outer appearance of the watch resembled those of Speedmaster Professional but in slightly smaller case or size. That is why it is called "Reduced".

As the name suggested, it was priced far reduced comparing to its big brother. This watch is measuring 39mm in diameter. By Speedmaster's standard, this is considered mid-size. This watch is effortless to read due to the black dial and contrasting with white batons, hands and wordings. Apart from its size, the fastest way to differentiate from the Professional; the Reduced has the wording ‘Automatic’ on its dial and features the minutes in Arabic numerals.

Like its big brother, the 3150.50 has a raised outer stainless steel bezel. The bezel is non rotational and has a black and white tachymetre scale. For me, tachymetre bezel is more a decorative, to make the watch more sporty looking and I have no ideal how to use it. According to Wikipedia, tachymetre can be used to compute a speed based on travel time or measure distance based on speed.

The 3510.50 comes with a domed Hesalite crystal, which is an acrylic. The reduced comes in ref.1468 stainless steel bracelet that consists of polished solid links. Sorry no fancy push buttons deployment clasp on this watch, but a more orthodox fold over clasp signed with Omega logo and the word Speedmaster.

The case back is of solid stainless steel and is press in type. It is decorated with a Speedmaster's logo engraving and a small Omega logo underneath. There is also a laser engraved serial number at the bottom. This watch is water resistant to 30M or 100 Feet only.

Beneath the caseback is an Omega Cal. 3220 automatic movement. This movement is based on ETA 2890-A2 with an add on Dubois-Dépraz 2020 chronograph module. This explains the high number of jewels (45 to 47) in Cal. 3220 movement and also why the crown and chronograph pushers are not in proper alignment. The pull and push crown is positioned slightly lower and is signed with Omega's logo. Cal. 3220 has rhodium-plated finishing and is beautifully decorated with perlage (circular graining) and Côtes de Genève (Geneva stripes) patterns. This movement has a beat rate of 28,800 bph and a reserve power of 40 hours.

If you love the Moon watch or Speedmaster Professional but is unwilling to pay for the hefty price, the Reduced is clearly a choice for you. I personally think this is really a value for money. Moreover, Omega has discontinued this model..... This has made this watch highly collectable!